?Chapter 1576:


    Ste rushed to his side, her hand reaching toward his sleeve. “I need to talk to you about those memories Arlo imnted — please!”


    William caught the movement of her approaching hand and sidestepped smoothly, avoiding contact. He turned his head just enough to acknowledge her presence, offered no words, and met her desperate gaze with eyes like winter ice before ducking into the car and pulling the door shut behind him.


    The lock engaged with an audible click before she could even reach for the handle. Perhaps he had never intended to let her ride with him at all. Ste remained frozen outside the car, uncertainty washing through her limbs.


    Before her memories had returned, she had fantasized endlessly about William releasing her from his grip. If he had rejected her like this back then, she would have celebrated her freedom. But now everything had changed. Her memories had returned, bringing with them the absolute certainty that she loved him. Watching him shut her out with such finality felt like watching someone tear her heart straight down the middle.


    She rapped her knuckles lightly against the window. “I want to ride with you!”


    William turned his head deliberately away, acting as though her voice had never reached his ears.


    Ste raised her hand to knock again when Luca materialized beside her. “Ms. Russell, Mr. Briggs arranged a separate car for you. We can discuss everything once we’re home.”


    Ste stayed rooted to the spot, watching William’s car elerate sharply and vanish down the airport road until nothing remained but empty pavement. Morning wind whipped through her hair and cut straight through her thin pajamas, dragging icy fingers down her spine.


    Eventually, she climbed into Luca’s car, and they made the journey back to the vi she had once called home.


    Despite the cleanup crews’ best efforts, evidence of the fire lingered everywhere she looked, and the air still carried traces of smoke like a ghost haunting the property.


    Shock and joy crossed Tasha’s face simultaneously when she spotted Ste, and the other servants quickly gathered around them. “Ms. Russell, are you alright? We searched everywhere for you. When we couldn’t find you, we feared the worst. Thank goodness you’re safe!”


    Tasha and the others knew nothing about Marc abducting Ste from the burning vi. Simply seeing her standing before them flooded them with overwhelming relief.


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    Mid-sentence, Tasha’s gaze caught on the bandage wrapped around Ste’s forehead. Her eyes widened. “Ms. Russell, you’re injured?!”


    Ste waved it off, forcing a pale smile. “Tasha, I’m fine.”


    The words did little to convince Tasha, who could see the exhaustion carved into every line of Ste’s face. She chose not to push for more answers. The fire had rendered the vi temporarily uninhabitable, which exined why Tasha and the others were systematically packing belongings to transport to another property.


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